as in winds
an air movement that is blowing toward something (such as a ship or an airplane) as it moves forward
Stiff headwinds caused the flight to take longer than expected.
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Recent Examples of headwinds
There are also more systemic headwinds, compounded by the fallout from Brexit and Covid-19, that continue to squeeze British brands—and, by extension, the suppliers that use them as a business lifeline.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Still, cinemas face persistent headwinds, including fears that studio consolidation will reduce film releases.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Three developments – higher oil prices, a stronger dollar, and stricter US financial conditions – have been headwinds for other currencies.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
Whether that shift can break through remains an open question, particularly as economic headwinds tied to the war continue to ripple at home.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026
Tesla sales have been facing headwinds in Europe — including in the Netherlands — in the last couple of years.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Those will be difficult headwinds for Whatley to combat, Bitzer and Roberts both said, especially since members of the sitting president’s party already tend to be at a disadvantage in competitive midterm elections.
—Mary Ramsey
april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Delta executives noted severe weather, the conflict in the Middle East, and pilot contract complications as headwinds this quarter.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet opportunities like ours are vulnerable to political headwinds and are no longer available to refugees from around the world whose lives remain in limbo.
—Sediqa Fahimi, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Still, cinemas face persistent headwinds, including fears that studio consolidation will reduce film releases.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Three developments – higher oil prices, a stronger dollar, and stricter US financial conditions – have been headwinds for other currencies.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
Whether that shift can break through remains an open question, particularly as economic headwinds tied to the war continue to ripple at home.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026
Tesla sales have been facing headwinds in Europe — including in the Netherlands — in the last couple of years.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Those will be difficult headwinds for Whatley to combat, Bitzer and Roberts both said, especially since members of the sitting president’s party already tend to be at a disadvantage in competitive midterm elections.
—Mary Ramsey
april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Delta executives noted severe weather, the conflict in the Middle East, and pilot contract complications as headwinds this quarter.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet opportunities like ours are vulnerable to political headwinds and are no longer available to refugees from around the world whose lives remain in limbo.
—Sediqa Fahimi, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwinds
winds
Noun
-
If the winds blow from the south or southwest, the South Coast and Cape Cod get the cold, ocean air.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Strong winds capable of knocking out power and damaging or even uprooting trees are also possible as the storms blast eastward into the evening across Michigan and northern parts of Ohio and Indiana.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headwinds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwinds. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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